2005 Volume 51 Issue 1 Pages 27-30
Several studies have examined the eruption of ectopically impacted teeth with regard to the position ofthe tooth germ, aberration of the course of eruption, and defects in the eruption site. Tooth impaction is oftencaused by a tumor or a cyst. We describe our experience with a rare case involving projection of an ectopicimpacted tooth into the mandibular notch in a patient receiving treatment for osteomyelitis. A 59-year-old man wasreferred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kameda General Hospital on January 25, 2001because of dental problems. Panoramic radiography showed apical periodontitis and slight radiopacity in the rightlower second molar region. Projection of an ectopically impacted tooth was also identified in the mandibularnotch, which was asymptomatic. We discuss the findings and review the literature on erupting ectopically impactedteeth in the mandible.
